Target of rapamycin (TOR)-like 1 kinase is involved in the control of polyphosphate levels and acidocalcisome maintenance in Trypanosoma brucei

Teresa Cristina Leandro De Jesus, Renata Rosito Tonelli, Sheila C. Nardelli, Leonardo Da Silva Augusto, Maria Cristina M. Motta, Wendell Girard-Dias, Kildare Miranda, Paul Ulrich, Veronica Jimenez, Antonio Barquilla, Miguel Navarro, Roberto Docampo, Sergio Schenkman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Target of rapamycin (TOR) kinases are highly conserved protein kinases that integrate signals from nutrients and growth factors to coordinate cell growth and cell cycle progression. It has been previously described that two TOR kinases control cell growth in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African trypanosomiasis. Here we studied an unusual TOR-like protein named TbTOR-like 1 containing a PDZ domain and found exclusively in kinetoplastids. TbTOR-like 1 localizes to unique cytosolic granules. After hyperosmotic stress, the localization of the protein shifts to the cell periphery, different from other organelle markers. Ablation of TbTOR-like 1 causes a progressive inhibition of cell proliferation, producing parasites accumulating in the S/G2 phase of the cell cycle. TbTOR-like 1 knocked down cells have an increased area occupied by acidic vacuoles, known as acidocalcisomes, and are enriched in polyphosphate and pyrophosphate. These results suggest that TbTOR-like 1 might be involved in the control of acidocalcisome and polyphosphate metabolism in T. brucei.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)24131-24140
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume285
Issue number31
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 30 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Target of rapamycin (TOR)-like 1 kinase is involved in the control of polyphosphate levels and acidocalcisome maintenance in Trypanosoma brucei'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this